Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning of a baseball game on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Denver.

Clearly, the 2018 edition of Charlie Blackmon hasn’t been quite as prolific as the 2017 version.

Defensively, the Rockies’ center fielder has shown the wear and tear of his position, ranking in the bottom 10 of all major-league outfielders in Statcast’s outs above average. And at the plate, the defending NL batting champion’s home runs, batting average and RBIs are all down markedly from last year’s historic campaign.

But while the stats may not be as gaudy, there’s still plenty of reasons to fear — and simultaneously respect — the beard, as Blackmon’s red-hot September indicates the 32-year-old still boasts one of the most reliable bats in the game.

Heading into Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia, Blackmon was riding a career-high 16-game hit streak, the longest active streak in the majors and the longest streak by a Rockies player since DJ LeMahieu’s sizzling 16-game autumn stretch last year.

“All year, he’s put up great at-bats,” LeMahieu said. “He’s the best leadoff hitter in the league in my opinion, and in a lot of people’s opinion. It’s September, and I’m sure his body is tired and beat up, but he keeps going and setting the table for us.”

Additionally, Blackmon’s .353 September average ranks fifth in the National League, and his month he became the just the third center fielder in league history to have at least three straight seasons with 25 home runs and 100 runs scored. The others? Willie Mays and Duke Snider.

And even with the recent surge, Blackmon believes his stretch ceiling still hasn’t been reached.

“I’ve been sometimes good over the past week or so, but I don’t feel like I’m super locked in or anything right now,” Blackmon said.

“Charlie is probably as mentally tough as any player I’ve been around,” Black said. “On a daily basis, he’s ready to play even though he might not be (as fresh) as he is on opening day. But Charlie doesn’t, and will never, make a performance-based excuse for being banged-up and tired. He just keeps hitting.”

Green ballplayers standing ready

While Colorado will no doubt need high-caliber play from Blackmon, LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story over the final six games — not to mention continued solid starting pitching — the team’s veteran core knows much is also riding on inexperienced, but hungry, players off the bench.

Whether that’s Garrett Hampson in the backup shortstop role, intermittent starts for young sluggers in David Dahl and Ryan McMahon, or pinch-hitting opportunities for the likes of Noel Cuevas, Tom Murphy and Pat Valaika, every impact performance off the bench (and out of the bullpen) counts.

“The key (for those guys) is to be prepared and stay ready, and don’t assume that just because you’re not starting that you don’t have anything to bring to the table,” Blackmon said. “(Monday), McMahon came in and got a hit, Hampson hit a double. Those things could very well be the difference in a game this week, and one game could be the difference in making the playoffs or not. No one can underestimate how important any contribution can be.”

Blackmon’s sentiment isn’t lost on those less-experienced ballplayers, especially rookies such as DJ Johnson, who is in his first month in the big leagues and is “soaking in everything like a sponge” while also staying on edge to contribute at any time.

“I’m trying to do anything I can to help this team win and be a part of it,” Johnson said. “I’m more than happy to be here, in whatever role, and every time my name is called I’m going to go out there with my best stuff.”

Black good with D-backs’ moves

During pregame Tuesday, Black touched on what he called the “integrity of the pennant race,” and his belief that all teams, regardless of whether in contention or not, should be making their best effort to win at the end of the season.

But September’s expanded rosters mean clubs eliminated from the playoff race have the luxury of playing younger call-ups in favor of established veteran players, as the Diamondbacks chose to do in Monday’s loss to the Dodgers.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo elected to hold first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and outfielder David Peralta — the team’s two best hitters — out of the starting lineup in favor of rest, a move that Black trusts is in the best interest of the Diamondbacks.

“Torey called me, we talked on the phone after Sunday’s game in Arizona,” Black said. “We have a longstanding relationship — I coached him in the minor leagues and we were together for a full year in Buffalo — and he assured me they were going to do everything in their power to win games. I defer to all managers that they know their players better than anybody.”

Looking ahead

Rick Scuteri, The Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez (48) throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, in Phoenix.

Pivetta hasn’t gone more than five innings in a start since late August, which bodes well for the Rockies considering they’ve also hit the second-year right-hander for a collective .483 average (14-for-29) in two career starts. Both Ian Desmond and Pat Valaika have homered off him, but Pivetta might carry confidence into the outing considering he’s coming off five innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against Atlanta last week. Meanwhile, Marquez looks to continue his second-half dominance (2.77 ERA, only home runs allowed since the all-star break). The Phillies are hitting .404 (19-for-47) in two starts against him, including a home run by their leading power hitter, first baseman Rhys Hoskins.

Kyle Newman is a sports writer for The Denver Post who covers the Colorado Rockies and other pro, college and high school athletics. Prior to that, he was executive editor of the Colorado Sports Network and The Fan Varsity Sports Network. He is a 2012 graduate of the ASU Cronkite School.